Abstract: A digital/virtual gift product is provided for generation and customization by a giver through a service provider and for receipt by a recipient for use with a merchant. The digital/virtual gift product includes: a representation of a monetary gift value selected by the giver and depicted on the digital/virtual gift product for use and redemption with a preselected merchant; a merchant identification depicted on the digital/virtual gift product to identify the preselected merchant, selected by the giver, and at which preselected merchant the digital/virtual gift product is redeemable; and a giver identification to identify the giver of the digital/virtual gift product to the recipient and to the merchant. At least one system and associated methods also are disclosed for creating, customizing, and tracking multiple digital/virtual gift products.

Abstract: A process for producing a multivalent cation containing copolymer, containing: contacting a multivalent cation containing ethylenically unsaturated acid and at least one comonomer to produce a monomer mixture comprising the multivalent cation containing ethylenically unsaturated acid present in an amount in the range of from about 5% to about 65% by weight; and contacting the monomer mixture with a redox initiator comprising a reducing compound and an oxidising compound and contacting the monomer mixture with a thermal initiator to cause the multivalent cation containing ethylenically unsaturated acid and the at least one comonomer to react to produce the multivalent cation containing copolymer, wherein the thermal initiator is used in the range 100 to 5000 ppm.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multivalent cation containing copolymer derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated acids. The copolymer has the following characteristics: (a) an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 3 dl/g when measured in 1 M Na Cl solution at 25° C.; (b) the copolymer is derived from a monomer mixture comprising an ethylenically unsaturated acid and at least one comonomer, the ethylenically unsaturated acid present in an amount in the range of from about % to about 65% by weight; and (c) a residual comonomer content is less than 1000 ppm when the comonomer is an acrylamide. The copolymer, inter alia, is useful as a flocculant for treating an aqueous slurry comprising particulate material, preferably tailings from a mining operation.

Abstract: A process for producing a multivalent cation containing copolymer, containing: contacting a multivalent cation containing ethylenically unsaturated acid and at least one comonomer to produce a monomer mixture comprising the multivalent cation containing ethylenically unsaturated acid present in an amount in the range of from about 5% to about 65% by weight; and contacting the monomer mixture with a redox initiator comprising a reducing compound and an oxidising compound and contacting the monomer mixture with a thermal initiator to cause the multivalent cation containing ethylenically unsaturated acid and the at least one comonomer to react to produce the multivalent cation containing copolymer, wherein the thermal initiator is used in the range 100 to 5000 ppm.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multivalent cation containing copolymer derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated acids. The copolymer has the following characteristics: (a) an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 3 dl/g when measured in 1 M Na Cl solution at 25° C.; (b) the copolymer is derived from a monomer mixture comprising an ethylenically unsaturated acid and at least one comonomer, the ethylenically unsaturated acid present in an amount in the range of from about % to about 65% by weight; and (c) a residual comonomer content is less than 1000 ppm when the comonomer is an acrylamide. The copolymer, inter alia, is useful as a flocculant for treating an aqueous slurry comprising particulate material, preferably tailings from a mining operation.

Abstract: A process of separating a suspension of particulate solids dispersed in an aqueous liquid into a liquid portion and a solids portion by transferring the suspension by flowing it to a deposition area, subjecting the suspension to a treatment system during the transfer, and at the deposition area allowing the suspension to separate into the liquid portion and the solids portion, in which the treatment system contains (a) a water soluble polymer; and (b) a chemical agent selected from at least one of an oxidising agent, a reducing agent, and/or a free radical agent. The treatment system enables a solids portion to be deposited and formed by an initial rigidification of the solids accompanied by an initial release of fluid, followed by a further consolidation of the rigidified solids with the further release of liquid.

Abstract: A novel cup is disclosed that may be collapsed and extended to hold cold or hot liquids safely. The cup preferably comprises a telescoping body comprising a plurality of rings of varying outer diameters, each ring having an outer wall and an inner wall forming an air gap therebetween, a leak-proof mechanism comprising an O-ring disposed about one or more rings, and a locking mechanism comprising an annular track disposed about one ring, and a pin disposed about another ring adapted to fit within the track and slideably engage it. The locking mechanism may further comprise a first magnet seated within the air gap of a first ring, and a second magnet seated within the air gap of a second ring, whereby the first and second magnets create a magnetic pull toward one another to help keep the cup in either a collapsed or extended position.

Abstract: A novel cup is disclosed that may be collapsed and extended to hold cold or hot liquids safely. The cup preferably comprises a telescoping body comprising a plurality of rings of varying outer diameters, each ring having an outer wall and an inner wall forming an air gap therebetween, a leak-proof mechanism comprising an O-ring disposed about one or more rings, and a locking mechanism comprising an annular track disposed about one ring, and a pin disposed about another ring adapted to fit within the track and slideably engage it. The locking mechanism may further comprise a first magnet seated within the air gap of a first ring, and a second magnet seated within the air gap of a second ring, whereby the first and second magnets create a magnetic pull toward one another to help keep the cup in either a collapsed or extended position.

Abstract: The closure of a blowback operated weapon is augmented by a gas cylinder and piston. The piston is self centering.

Abstract: The closure of a blowback operated weapon is augmented by a gas cylinder and piston. The piston is self centering.

Abstract: A gun safe having an ejectable drawer is disclosed. The gun safe comprises a door hingedly connected to the opened end of a housing. The drawer is reciprocatingly mounted within the housing and is springloaded to bear against the closed door so that, upon opening of the door, the ejectable drawer is forced outwardly to present the firearm contained therein for easy grasping.